2023 BCAW Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin (BCAW) established the BCAW Scholarship Program in 1995 to provide scholarships to employees of BCAW member bowling centers and their families. In addition to providing four $1,000 scholarships to a current employee and/or immediate family members of a BCAW member bowling center employee, BCAW also awards a $1,000 scholarship to a current USBC youth member bowling in a BCAW member center.

BCAW has awarded more than $120,000 to students continuing their education beyond high school.  BCAW Scholarships are held at SMART and administered by the USBC.

All applicants must be a graduating high school senior or have a post high school diploma or equivalent; and be under the age of 22 as of November 1, 2022. This year’s selection committee had a challenging job selecting just five award winners for the 2023 BCAW Scholarships.

Jackson Carter is the first of four scholarship recipients in the BCAW Center Employee category. The Weston native and D.C. Everest High School graduate plans to attend the

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Wausau campus) and study Psychology. Jackson is a two-time Academic Letter recipient and National Honor Society member.

As an employee at Dale’s Weston Lanes, Jackson held positions working at the control counter, as well as porter and hall setup. In addition, Jackson showed his leadership skills by training several other employees and is the lead setup staffer.Bowling was always a major influence on Jackson’s life, both as a family activity and competitive league bowler. He said bowling helped him generate new friendships, learn the importance of being a team player, overcoming frustration and respecting coaches.

Besides competing in bowling leagues and his bowling activities, Jackson is actively involved in his church, 4-H and other volunteer work throughout the community.

“The hard work and dedication I learned to strive for in league bowling influenced my life in many ways, Jackson wrote in his essay. “I not only gained friendships but also obtained the opportunity to work at the bowling center where I am currently employed.”

Ceri Deacon is the second scholarship recipient in the BCAW Center Employee category. While working at Pla-Mor Lanes in LaCrosse, Ceri proved herself a reliable employee mastering many duties quickly including being a cook, and control counter and bar staffer.

At Woodstock North High School (Illinois), Ceri was the MVP and captain of the bowling team and earned pins or letters for four years in softball. In high school, Ceri was a National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society member.

After graduating from Woodstock High in 2021, Ceri moved on to Viterbo University in LaCrosse where she accepted a bowling scholarship. She’s currently studying Psychology.

“Bowling has influenced my life in a significant number of different ways,“ Ceri wrote in her essay. “The most important would be the relationships with people whom I have met and get to spend my time with from being on my high school and college team, as well as working two different alleys.”

The BCAW’s third scholarship winner in the Center Employee category is Ashlyn Smith. The current Waterford Union High senior plans on attending Carroll

University in Waukesha to study Nursing.

While working the past two years at River City Lanes in Burlington, Ashlyn has been lauded for her positive attitude and being a team player and her excellent problem-solving skills. She has handled various duties in the bowling center, restaurant, bar and banquet hall.

During her high school years, Ashlyn participated in golf and track. Besides sports, Ashlyn has performed volunteer duties for her church and for a charity run.

“Over the past two years, bowling has influenced me through multiple ways, whether it was relationships, learning patience, being part of a community, and so much more,” Ashlyn wrote in her essay.

The fourth BCAW Scholarship recipient in the Employee Category is Carter Wescott. The senior at Preble High School in Green Bay plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and study Sports Management/Marketing.

During his two years working at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay, Carter excelled providing service at the control desk and stocking duties. Carter sets a great example for other employees by assisting new staff members and teaching them the ropes.

Carter has excelled on the lanes as well. Most recently Carter finished as runner-up in singles at the 2023 BCAW Wisconsin High School Bowling Club State Championships in early March at Dale’s Weston Lanes. In addition, Carter was on the All-Conference for three years and team captain for two years. Carter has qualified for the USBC Junior Gold in all four years and has performed well in the Teen Masters tournament. Off the lanes, Carter has given much of time over the years assisting at ASPIRO, a day-service program for people with disabilities. Both of his parents were employed at ASPIRO, and they brought Carter along to help out with various activities. One of those activities was bowling, and it’s where Carter developed his love for the sport. Carter also assists an individual with disabilities living in his parents’ home.

“Those memories are always going to be a part of me,” Carter wrote in his essay. “Bowling is my true passion, and it’s a big part of who I am,” Carter wrote in his essay. “I look forward to what the future holds and my involvement in this sport in the years to come.”

 

Joshua Davey is the recipient of our USBC Youth Member Scholarship. The Brookfield East High School graduate is attending the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) studying Music Education.

Joshua excelled in the classroom as a four-time winner of the Academic All-District Award and Academic Excellence Award at Brookfield High. And Joshua’s love for music was evident as he participated inthe jazz band, marching band, chamber choir, musical cast and the pit orchestra during high school.

Besides competing as a varsity bowler for Brookfield High and in the Saturday Village Bowl Juniors League at Village Bowl in Menomonee Falls, Joshua a participated in tennis and was the football team manager.

“Bowling has become a very large part of my life as a whole through my years in the activity,” Joshua mentioned in his essay. “If I’m overstressed about school or anything that is happening in my life, bowling gives me a sense of normalcy and something to focus on. Bowling is a piece of me that will never leave.”

For consideration next year, all applications and required documentation must be into the BCAW office no later than November 1, 2023 for scholarships being awarded in 2023.  Information and forms have been updated and are posted on our website.

The BCAW Scholarship Program is fully funded through the association’s annual BCAW Scholarship Golf Tournament held in June each year.  This year’s event will be held on June 12, 2023 at Indianhead Golf Course in Mosinee.  In addition to raising money to support these scholarships, there is a lot of cash and prizes up for grabs. The $85/person (or $340/foursome) registration fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart and dinner!